One of the popular reasons authors give away books for free is to build a readership, and to increase the sale through of other books in their series.
However, there’s one problem with free books. If you want to make money with your books, giving them away for free is an issue because subconsciously you’re teaching your audience that your book is essentially worth nothing.
In the indie author community, there’s a false mindset you have to give your books away for free before people will be willing to purchase them. If the first book in your series is free, someone will pay $0.99, $2.99 and even $5.99 for your full priced books. In truth, I’ve been seeing the opposite effect and heard from indie authors who have had the same experience.
16 thoughts on “Indie Authors: Stop Giving Away Free Books…”
I acquire free books and read all of them (eventually). I write reviews of many of them, posting them on my blog and Goodreads. I now review only indie books on my (modest) blog, and many of those books were free downloads.
I have pretty much quit giving away my books for free, too, because I agree with this post. I was doing it mostly to garner reviews for new books, but it seldom resulted in more than 2 or 3. Now, once one of my series reaches 3 books, I drop the cost of the first book to $.99 permanently, and older books stay between $2.99 and $4.99. So far, it seems to be a better strategy, but I do think you have to reassess regularly. If something isn’t working, try a new plan. Markets and mindsets change all the time, so we’ve got to be flexible, if we want to sell. Just my own thoughts, of course, but I don’t think it hurts to look things over and cut loose any ideas that don’t result in good sales. Great post!
Ummm. Hall of Fame Author? MOI???? Well, erm . . . never even thought about ME being one, but I’ll check out those guidelines. Thanks for the invitation, Chris. *goes off pleased as punch, and smiling all the way* 😀
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
I acquire free books and read all of them (eventually). I write reviews of many of them, posting them on my blog and Goodreads. I now review only indie books on my (modest) blog, and many of those books were free downloads.
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Good for you, Audrey ❤
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Terrific article, Chris. Made me rethink my strategy for promotion. Thanks so much for sharing ❤
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Welcome, Tina ❤️
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I agree Chris. As an artist, writers deserve to be paid for the work that they do. Often I wonder of any of these free books are actually read.
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Very few I suspect, Colline 😎
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Thank you, appreciate the insight! Truly!
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👍😃
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A while back I used to pick up free books, they’ve just been sitting on my Kindle not a single one read!
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Same here, Eric 😎
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I could not agree more.
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😃
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I have pretty much quit giving away my books for free, too, because I agree with this post. I was doing it mostly to garner reviews for new books, but it seldom resulted in more than 2 or 3. Now, once one of my series reaches 3 books, I drop the cost of the first book to $.99 permanently, and older books stay between $2.99 and $4.99. So far, it seems to be a better strategy, but I do think you have to reassess regularly. If something isn’t working, try a new plan. Markets and mindsets change all the time, so we’ve got to be flexible, if we want to sell. Just my own thoughts, of course, but I don’t think it hurts to look things over and cut loose any ideas that don’t result in good sales. Great post!
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Regular reassessment is a good idea,
Marcia – BTW – When will YOU become my Hall of Fame Authors? – see my submission guidelines at:
https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/contact-me/
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Ummm. Hall of Fame Author? MOI???? Well, erm . . . never even thought about ME being one, but I’ll check out those guidelines. Thanks for the invitation, Chris. *goes off pleased as punch, and smiling all the way* 😀
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👍😃😁
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